Inside The Bills

The regular season is upon us… finally! Here are some of your more pressing questions this week. Keep the questions coming on email at AskChris@bills.nfl.net and on Twitter @ChrisBrownBills.

1 – Chris–

Have you heard or seen any indication that we may use Goodwin in a similar fashion as Percy Harvin/Randal Cobb may be used with slot and carries out of the backfield? I couldn’t help but imagine this after the two kickoff returns and he just seems to be smaller but also solidly built, sturdy and durable. I thought he might fit well in that sort of role either now or the future. Thanks.

Abe
Annville, PA

CB: I think the best thing that the offensive coaches have done is put the rookies in the best position to succeed. Part of that is accomplished by not putting too much on their plate. That’s not to say Goodwin couldn’t handle executing end arounds or operate out of the slot, but initially it’s clear that he’s going to be lined up to stretch the field. He’s a threat to burn a CB every snaps he’s out there and that can change the approach of a defense. Goodwin has had a solid preseason. If it continues I anticipate more being added to his list of responsibilities on Sundays.

2 – ChrisWith all this talk and hype surrounding Spiller’s role in 2013, where does that leave Fred Jackson? How much action will he get this season, and when (3rd downs, goal line carries, carries to give Spiller a rest, or will he have a bigger role than we think)?

Thanks,

Mike in San Diego

CB: I think Fred’s role won’t be as prominent as it was last season or the year before, but if this offense operates at peak efficiency they’ll be running 75-80 plays a game. If that happens there will be enough plays for C.J. to get his 25-30 touches and still enough left over for Fred to see 12-18 touches. Where they’re used on the field and in what situations is a game by game type situation.

3 – Hi Chris,
What a great at Training Camp this year! Thanks for keeping us up to date on all the action. I try not to get too excited during the preseason after all the letdowns of the past 13 years. But this year, it’s really hard not to. I went to Camp quite a few times, and you can really feel a difference in attitude and enthusiasm coming from the players and the new coaching staff!

So my question is this: Will this new attitude translate into wins during the regular season? Is the player talent at a high enough level for this Hybrid Defense and the Hi-Speed “HACK” Attack to finally get us to the playoffs?

The Defense looks pretty good. I think my biggest concern is the O-line. We’re obviously good at running back, but do you think this group of offensive linemen is up to the task of playoff caliber football?
Thanks,
Dave “Flash”

CB: I think the Bills have had a lot of talent on this roster, it’s just that it wasn’t maximized under previous coaching regimes. I get the sense that Nathaniel Hackett and Mike Pettine will be able to make the most of the collective talent they have at their disposal.

There is absolutely a new attitude and culture change, but it will have to be backed up by wins to truly take hold. Attitude helps, but wins are gold when it comes to change a team’s losing culture.

CB: An injury settlement is when an NFL club and an injured player on one of their reserve lists reach an agreement to move the player off said injured list. Very often this is the case when a player doesn’t have a season-long injury, but the team chooses to list them there because they don’t want to occupy a roster spot with said player.

For example, undrafted rookie FB Drew Smith after clearing waivers went on the team’s reserve-injured list. Once that happens he is no longer eligible to play for the Bills in 2013. However, if he doesn’t have a season long injury it would behoove him to make himself available to the other 31 teams in the league to try to land a job on a practice squad or active roster.

So the player and the team reach a financial agreement where the player usually takes less money than he would make on injured reserve in exchange for his release from the team once healthy, thereby making him a free agent.

5 – Chris:
In light of the injury to Stephon Gilmore, I am wondering if the Bills are considering reworking the secondary for the first six games, or for however long Gilmore is out. Is there any thought of moving Aaron Williams back to his old CB position, now that Jairus Byrd is back in the fold?

You could bump up Searcy (or Duke Williams) to start with Byrd at safety and have Williams start with McKelvin at corner.

I suppose another way to look at it is which of these options would make the Bills secondary stronger. Starting Brooks or Rogers at corner, or starting Searcy or Williams at safety? Looking forward to your thoughts.

Dan in Cheshire, CT

CB: I think too much time has been invested in Aaron Williams at safety to move him back at this point. With the strides that he’s made it would be hard for the coaches to interrupt that progress. I could only see it in a dire situation. Add in the fact that Byrd is dealing with two sore feet and it leaves them a bit more limited although Jim Leonhard could help similarly.